James May and Richard Hammond refuse to film Top Gear without Jeremy Clarkson

UK Telegraph ^ | 3-19-2015 | Bill Gardner

[tcrlaf]

Top Gear could have stayed on air without Jeremy Clarkson - but his co-hosts reportedly refused to present the show without him.

James May and Richard Hammond were offered the chance to front the motoring show during Clarkson’s suspension, according to a BBC executive.

Discussions were held about broadcasting the last three episodes with mainly recorded segments while the two co-stars filmed the studio parts.

However the BBC insider told the Mirror that May and Hammond rejected the offer and refused to go on air without their long-time colleague.

The source said: "They didn't want to do it without Jeremy so the talks didn't get off the ground.

"There is a feeling that it is all of them or none of them."

[muir_redwoods]

Lucas; Lord of Darkness

[Jonty30]

It looks like the show is coming to a close or it will be reincarnated into a lesser form.

[katana]

Their beer isn’t so much warm as it is not so chilled that it frosts the outside of the glass. And it’s nearly flat with a relatively low alcohol content. Altogether that’s why it’s possible to drink pint after pint. It was interesting to do nightly body counts of English “lads” being carried out of Belgian bars when they would try and consume volume for volume the 8 go 10 percent abbey brewed stuff on offer in Brussels. But given the choice between a pulled pint of Newcastle Brown Ale and the a near frozen can of carbonated water Budweiser passes off as beer ... .

[az_gila]

Not to mention that they’d have to buy out his contract.

---

The UK papers mentioned that the contracts for all three are due for renewal at the end of this month.

The BBC bought all of the rights to Top Gear a few years ago from Clarkson so I thinks this latest fuss might just be a way for Clarkson and the others to go off on their own.

I wonder if the non-compete clause in the contract is not applicable if the BBC refuses to renew....:^)

[Boiler Plate]

Either you got rid of them before they were 5 years old or you are a cosmic anomaly and a risk of shredding the space time continuum.

[Boiler Plate]

I had far fewer problems with my Alfa, than any VW we ever owned. However as far as Fiats go, I think uou are probably right.

[2001convSVT]

Its not Jeremy’ first offense, like the October 2014: Falklands incident.

“Jeremy Clarkson caused offense this time by driving through Argentina using a number plate apparently referring to the Falklands War.”

[cripplecreek]

Holy crap they brought a tank.

[IYAS9YAS]

I’ve owned 6 different types of VW and never had a significant electrical problem.

Not the dreaded less-than-two-years-old-single-headlight-or-taillight-out problem? The one thing that I've notice on VWs more than anything is a light out. Usually on the newer cars.

[Kozak]

Nope rode most of them into the ground. One was a Diesel Jetta I bought used that was 10 years old and had 90k miles on it. I drove it for another 2 years , got 50mpg with it, and sold it with 150k miles on it, still running great ( I would have kept it but went overseas for 2 years for work). When I get home I will probably buy another VW diesel.

[Boiler Plate]

The diesels are somewhat immune. Not sure why, but they seem to be much better overall.

[PLMerite]

“Lucas; Lord of Darkness”

He’s gotten a promotion. When I had my old Jag over there he was just a Prince.

[muir_redwoods]

I could tell you stories about rebuilding a 1955 Austin Healy but my therapist strongly urges me to let it go, let it go...

[PLMerite]

IIRC, one of the major problem with Jags of the 1960s vintage was the electrical system was the ground was opposite from most other cars (”positive ground”). The first thing a lot of people did when restoring them was rewire everything to negative ground and ditch the Lucas parts. I never got that far with mine, I spent all my money trying just to keep it alive.

[Timocrat]

I also really like the continued use and praise of the UK military forces and in bringing the military participants onto the show for their episode.

Clarkson's father-in-law was awarded a VC at Arnhem. Clarkson tells the story in this video Major Cain

[ExSoldier]

AH! That explains quite a lot. When I was on active duty in the 1980s, we loved to train with the British, in the field on home soil where we acted as the training host especially. You see then (don't know if it's still this way) each soldier got a BEER RATION of 1 can in the field every day! Of course sitting together on the perimeter of in a fighting position both had dug they were quite the good guests and shared. Their junior officers were kind enough to share their range overages of 9mm ball ammo with their Yank counterparts. Since it was clearly understood that we were still using the 1911 45acp, and they knew, quite enviously that many of us had concealed weapons permits AND like all armies they were penalized if they returned unused ammo to their logistical personnel... well... it was a way for us to keep our personal marksmanship skills tuned.

[ExSoldier]

Continuing, this also explains the cozy relationship of American soldiers with their Canadian counterparts! I was with the now defunct 9th Infantry Division stationed at Fort Lewis, WA and we had frequent occasion to train with them. They would bring huge lots of Canadian beer Mostly Labatts and Molson, both of which at the time were wholly owned by Canadians. The comparison was our 3.2% to their approximate 12% by volume. If we went across the border, say on a weekend leave, we were forbidden to bring it back. But the military convoys crossing in both directions were never checked.... What great military allies!

[W.]

Also the scenery when they go cruising across Europe. What a job... ;)

[W.]

I think Clarkson’s just pulling out collective leg. British humor is kinda cerebral, I have friends who don’t get it, but they’re not the kind to think through a bit in order to laugh. I reckon it’s their loss. ;)

[W.]

I scored a corned beef at Wally World yesterday marked down that is purported to be marinating in Guinness. If I can refrain from drinking the marinade I’ll let you all know how it was. ;)